Malaysia Public Holiday 2026: Complete National & State Holiday Guide

Key Takeaways

• The 2026 public holiday Malaysia schedule is comprised of both Federal and State-specific observances, necessitating granular planning, especially for multi-state operations.
• Employers must grant a minimum of 11 paid public holidays. This includes five compulsory holidays, with the remaining six chosen by employers from the gazetted list and communicated to employees at the start of the year.
• For states with a Saturday-Sunday weekend, a public holiday falling on a Sunday is typically observed on the following Monday. Note that different rules apply in states with a Friday-Saturday weekend (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu).
• Employees required to work on a paid public holiday are entitled to either a replacement day off or double pay. Any overtime work on the holiday must be compensated at a rate of three times (3x) the regular hourly pay.

Malaysia Public Holidays 2026 (Federal & State Holidays)

Keeping a clear distinction between the holidays that apply nationwide and those specific to certain regions is vital for accurate leave and payroll management.

2026 National and State Public Holidays

The table below separates the primary national and state holidays for the 2026 public holiday Malaysia schedule.

Malaysia's minimum entitlement is 11 paid public holidays. Five are compulsory including Merdeka Day, Agong’s Birthday, Federal Territory Day, Labour Day, and Malaysia Day).

Employers must choose the remaining six from the gazetted list and inform employees at the start of the year.

💡 Smart HR Tip: QuickHR Leave Management System is regularly updated with the latest changes on public holidays and government regulations in Malaysia. You can also include additional holidays or off days that are unique to your company!

State Public Holidays in Malaysia (2026 Complete List)

Malaysia Long Weekends 2026 (How to Maximise Your Leave)

Strategically planning annual leave around Malaysia 2026 public holiday dates is a valuable benefit for employees and allows HR to manage peak leave periods proactively.

Key Festivals in Malaysia 2026

The Malaysia public holiday 2026 schedule is a celebration of our country's diversity. Understanding the significance of these festivals helps HR cultivate a more inclusive and empathetic workplace.

• Chinese New Year (Feb 17-18): A nationwide two-day holiday, essential for respecting the reunion and celebration period for Chinese employees.
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Mar 21-22): The major celebration marking the end of Ramadan. HR should prepare for the 'balik kampung' rush, which can lead to high leave demand before and after the holiday.
• Deepavali (Nov 8): The Festival of Lights is a national holiday (except Sarawak). A critical period for planning coverage, especially in regions with a high concentration of Hindu employees.

Public Holiday Rules in Malaysia (Labour Law Insights)

Public holidays in Malaysia are governed by a combination of state and federal legislation, primarily the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369), the Sarawak Holidays Ordinance, and the State of Sabah Holidays Ordinance.

What if a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday?

In states and territories with Saturday-Sunday weekends, public holidays landing on Sundays are shifted to Mondays. If Monday's also a holiday, the substitute falls on the next workday.

In Johor and Kedah, when a public holiday falls on Friday, the official observance is moved to Sunday or the next working day, while in Kelantan and Terengganu, a public holiday that falls on Saturday is shifted to Sunday or the next working day.

Do employees get paid for working on public holidays?

If an employee works on a paid holiday, they can choose to receive either another day off or double pay, in addition to their regular holiday pay.

Employees who work overtime on a paid holiday shall be compensated at a rate equivalent to three times their regular hourly rate of pay. In the case of piece-rated employees, three times their ordinary rate per piece.

Simplify Your Malaysia Public Holiday and Leave Management

Managing the intricate details of the 2026 calendar, from calculating triple pay rates to tracking state-specific holidays, can feel overwhelming, especially for multi-state employers.

QuickHR provides streamlined and fully compliant leave management system for all Malaysia-based companies:

• Auto-Sync Federal + State Holidays: Automatically updates with the latest Malaysia public holiday 2026 schedule, ensuring immediate compliance.
• Automated PH Pay Calculation: Seamlessly integrates with the payroll system to ensure accurate compensation for work done on holidays and for overtime, adhering to the triple-rate requirement.
• Real-Time Leave Planner: With QuickHR Mobile App, employees can submit leave requests on-the-go and managers can approve/deny instantly while tracking real-time leave balances and avoiding scheduling conflicts.
• Supports All Leave Types: Configures accrual and usage rules for annual leave, sick leave, and specific local requirements like maternity leave and paternity leave based on the latest Malaysian labour regulations.

If you want to know more about how to simplify your HR compliance and planning for the 2026 public holiday calendar, start your 14-day FREE trial today with absolutely no terms and conditions!